Grasveld en bomen c. 1944 - 1990

This etching, "Grasveld en bomen" or "Field and Trees," was made by Kees Stoop. Just look at the repetitive mark-making, the hatching and cross-hatching that builds up the image. For me, that’s where the magic lies - in the process. It's fascinating how Stoop coaxes so much depth and texture out of a limited palette. The density of the marks creates a sense of depth, like you could almost walk into this little landscape. Notice how the direction and density of the lines vary, creating a sense of movement and light. In the foreground, the marks are more horizontal, suggesting the flatness of the field. Then, as your eye moves towards the trees, the marks become more vertical and dense, creating a sense of volume and depth. Thinking about other artists who work in this way, maybe Agnes Martin, or Vija Celmins, where repetition becomes a kind of meditation. There is no right answer, just a constant exchange of ideas across time.